Canada pledges 600 peacekeepers, Can$450 mln to UN

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government on Friday committed 600 troops and Can$450 million (US$350 million) over three years to United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world. Touted by the Liberal administration as a recommitment to multilateralism, the move also positions Canada to make a stronger bid for a rotating seat on the UN Security Council. Ottawa’s “commitment to increase Canadian participation in UN peace operations and supporting its mediation efforts, preventing conflicts, and engaging in post-conflict reconstruction” will give Canada “a stronger voice on the world stage,” Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion told a news conference.